The Quest for the Golden Key

It was a sunny and warm day, as warm as possible for being right along the coastline of Northern California. My brother and I were seated at the family picnic table in our backyard, grounded for the week after once again getting in trouble. At 13 and 10, we longed for adventure, so we wrote a play about ourselves going on that adventure.

I have taken the time to update it a little…

Characters:

• Tom: The older brother, adventurous and confident.
• Adam: The younger brother, curious and cautious.
• Finn: A mischievous leprechaun

Act 1: The Discovery

Setting: A living room with a table, chairs, and a bookshelf.

Scene 1:

(Tom and Adam sit at the table, looking through an old book.)

Tom: (Excitedly) Look, Adam! This book talks about a hidden treasure here in Klamath!

Adam: (Curiously) Really? What kind of treasure?

Tom: It says there’s a Golden Key that can open any door and grant any wish.

Adam: (Nervously) That sounds amazing, but it also sounds dangerous.

Tom: (Confidently) Come on, Adam! It’ll be an adventure. We’ll be careful.

Adam: (Sighs) Okay, but only if we promise to stay safe.

Tom: (Smiling) Deal! Let’s get our backpacks and some snacks. We might be out for a while.

Adam: (Nods) Alright, let’s do it!

(They grab their backpacks and head out the door.)

Act 2: The Journey

Setting: A field with a fairy ring (a circle of mushrooms) in the center.

Scene 2:

(Tom and Adam are walking through the field, looking at a map.)

Tom: According to the map, the Golden Key should be hidden in the center of this fairy ring.

Adam: (Looking around) I hope we find it soon. It’s starting to get dark.

Tom: (Pointing) Look! Over there! That circle of mushrooms!

Adam: (Excitedly) Let’s check it out!

(They approach the fairy ring and start searching around it.)

Tom: (Feeling around) There’s got to be a hidden compartment or something.

Adam: (Finding a small door) Tom, look! I found a door!

Tom: (Opening the door) There it is! The Golden Key!

Adam: (Happily) We did it!

(Suddenly, Finn, a leprechaun, appears.)

Finn: (With a twinkle in his eye) Ah, I see ye’ve found me Golden Key!

Tom: (Surprised) Who are you?

Finn: (Smiling) I’m Finn, the guardian of the Golden Key. And who might ye be?

Adam: (Nervously) I’m Adam, and this is my brother Tom. We didn’t mean to take your key.

Finn: (Laughing) No harm done, lads. The key is yours if ye can answer me riddle.

Tom: (Confidently) We’ll try!

Finn: (Grinning) What has keys but can’t open locks?

Adam: (Thinking) Hmm… A piano!

Finn: (Clapping) Well done! The key is yours. Use it wisely, boys.

Tom: (Taking the key) Thank you, Finn. We promise to use it for good.

Finn: (Disappearing) Farewell, lads. Remember, the key’s magic is only as good as your heart.

(Tom and Adam start walking back, holding the Golden Key.)

Act 3: The Wish

Setting: The living room, as in Act 1.

Scene 3:

(Tom and Adam are back in the living room, looking at the Golden Key.)

Adam: (Thoughtfully) So, what should we wish for?

Tom: (Smiling) How about we wish for something to help everyone?

Adam: (Nods) That sounds like a great idea.

Tom: (Holding the key) I wish for happiness and good health for our family and friends.

Adam: (Closing his eyes) Me too.

(The key glows, and a warm light fills the room.)

Tom: (Looking around) Do you feel that, Adam?

Adam: (Smiling) Yeah, I think it worked.

Tom: (Happily) We did it, little brother. We did it.

Adam: (Hugging Tom) Thanks for the adventure, Tom.

Tom: (Hugging back) Anytime, Adam. Anytime.

(They sit back down at the table, smiling and looking at the Golden Key.)

End of Play